Weekly makes appeal for students’ transportation

By Emily Richmond (contact)

Friday, Oct. 15, 2004 | 9:48 a.m.

Las Vegas City Councilman Lawrence Weekly made a personal appeal Thursday to the Clark County School Board, asking that about 30 students who face a treacherous trek to school along Martin Luther King Boulevard be provided transportation.

The district provides transportation to elementary school students who live at least two miles from the campus. District officials say the Rancho Verde Apartments at the intersection of Martin Luther King and Interstate 15 is 1.76 miles from Wasden Elementary School, which means children residing in the complex are not eligible for the free bus service.

Weekly said last week he accompanied about 30 students for the 50-minute walk from the apartment complex to Wasden on Palomino Lane, near Rancho Drive and Charleston Boulevard. In order to reach the campus, students must cross several major intersections and often cut through residential yards and vacant lots, risking exposure to dogs, transients and other potentially hazardous elements, Weekly said.

"It's not only a long walk, it's dangerous," Weekly said. "Somebody's child is going to get hurt."

Clark County Schools Superintendent Carlos Garcia said he plans to drive the school route this morning -- at Weekly's urging.

"I'm sure we have lots of kids at 1.9 miles (from school) but unfortunately we can't afford to provide bus service to all of them," Garcia said. "If there's something extraordinarily dangerous about the pedestrian route for these kids, we may reconsider, but we have to be fair and consistent with all our students."

Clark County School Board President Susan Brager-Wellman thanked Weekly for taking the time to attend Thursday's meeting and pointed out that the district is currently short 85 bus drivers.

"If you know anybody who needs a job," Brager-Wellman said, drawing laughter from the audience. "I'm not kidding ... it's a good job and pays well."

Because of the driver shortage some middle school students are being ferried home in two shifts, with buses doubling back to the campus for a second load.

Weekly said he would encourage Garcia to walk -- rather than drive -- the route today in order to fully understand what the children are facing.

"I'm glad to go along -- I'll absolutely make myself available," Weekly said.